Kohala Lighthouse Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Kohala Lighthouse (Big Island).

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of mostly messy, onshore, and cross-shore wind that’s gonna keep things pretty lumpy and uninviting for the next week or so. The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

From Monday the 31st of August all the way through to the end of Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s a write-off. Persistent ENE winds around 18-25 mph are just shredding the surface. Swell is coming from the ENE with periods of only 8 seconds or less, so it’s short period windswell, not the kind of groundswell that gives you proper shape. The combined energy is moderate, ranging from 389 to 708, but it’s all rough, lumpy cross-chop. Not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 4th of September? Still pretty average in the morning, but Friday afternoon is where things get interesting. The swell height holds at 8 ft, the period jumps to 13 seconds, and the combined energy skyrockets to 2094! That’s a proper long period groundswell hitting, but the wind is still a fresh cross-shore, so it’s lumpy. Still, a big jump in quality.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September keep the long period (13 seconds) and big energy (1998-2123), but those cross-shore winds are still a problem. The scores are marginal at best, and the crowd situation at Kohala Lighthouse can be “sometimes” busy, so if you’re keen, you might still find a wave, but it won’t be perfect.

Now, here’s the standout. Monday the 7th of September. This is your window. Morning brings a glassy, near-calm wind from the west at just 3 mph. The swell is 7 ft from the NE, with a period of 11 seconds and combined energy of 1179. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with clean, glassy conditions. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wind is glassy, the direction is offshore for the break, and the waves should have real shape. After that, the afternoon picks up a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s much stronger, so the morning is the clear winner.

The rest of the forecast from Tuesday the 8th through to Tuesday the 15th of September is a tough slog. Winds are back up, mostly cross-shore, with short period swell (5-8 seconds) and weak energy, often under 400. The swell direction is mostly ENE, which is not the ideal N direction for this exposed reef break, so the quality is poor. Only a few spots show marginal scores, but nothing that’s going to get me excited.

The call: If you’re an advanced surfer and you can wait, Monday the 7th of September morning is the absolute standout. Glassy, clean, powerful groundswell. That’s the one. Everything else is a battle with the wind.

Rusty.

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